Rocky Horror Show
The Rocky Horror Show has been touring the UK and Europe for quite a while now as part of its 50th Anniversary Tour, but the production itself doesn’t look a day older!
For anyone that hasn’t seen it before, (and quite honestly, what have you been doing with yourselves?), the story tells of two squeaky clean college kids, (Brad and Janet), who stumble across a creepy mansion one night when their car breaks down. Their meeting with Dr Frank N Furter leads to fun, frolics and some seriously X-rated behaviour! Who is Frank? What is this crazy celebration the two of them have walked into? And how is this all going to end?
Written by Richard O’Brien in 1973 as a tribute to Science Fiction and Horror B movies, the show slowly gained the cult following it has today, with fans dressing up as the shows characters and an audience participation that is still evolving, (a word to the new recruits though; there is an actual audience script, so please remember that shout outs should not occur at inappropriate and more serious moments out of respect for the performers and other audience members).
Hayley Flaherty (Janet) and Richard Meek (Brad), have both been a part of the Rocky Horror family for a while now and continue to bring a renewed vigour to their performances. A favourite moment is ‘Once in A While’, bringing the separated couple, momentarily back together, it’s a nice little moment we share with them.
Ryan Carter-Wilson, standing in as Riff Raff, brought an individual interpretation to the role, alongside Suzie McAdam (Usherette/Magenta) and Darcy Finden (Columbia) completing the array of Frank’s servants/groupies seamlessly, each complementing the other’s performance.
Joe Allen as Eddie/Dr. Scott is entertaining as always and one of the best characterisations of the role we have seen, bringing individual charm to his portrayal.
Ben Westhead is delightful as Rocky, the cheeky, yet vulnerable creation of Dr Frank N Furter, played by Stephen Webb, who is, as always, outstanding in both his characterisation and vocals.
The favourite of the night though, has to be Philip Franks as Narrator. His skill at dealing with audience shout outs and his hysterically creative ad libs are just divine.
With costume design by Sue Blane (who also worked on the original designs for the film), imaginative set design by Hugh Durrant, energising choreography by Nathan M Wright and textbook direction by Christopher Luscombe, we couldn’t have expected this production to be any less pleasing!
This show was reviewed on the 6th February 2024 at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre where it runs until the 10th February 2024. Tickets available here: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW | Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
Full tour details here: Rocky Horror Show
Review written by Rachel Louise Martin
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Photo credit: David Freeman
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